ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Defence
Maiden Flight Trial of SAHAYAK-NG, Air Droppable Container
Defence Research and Development Organisation  along with Indian Navy conducted the successful maiden test trial of ‘SAHAYAK-NG’ India’s first indigenously designed and developed Air Dropped Container from IL 38SD aircraft  off the coast of Goa.
The trial was conducted by Indian Navy to enhance its operational logistics capabilities and provide critical engineering stores to ships which are deployed more than 2000 km from the coast. It reduces the requirement of ships to come close to the coast to collect spares and stores.
Two DRDO laboratories i.e. NSTL, Visakhapatnam and ADRDE, Agra were involved in the development of SAHAYAK-NG container along the industry partner M/s Avantel for GPS integration. SAHAYAK-NG is an advanced version of SAHAYAK Mk I. The newly developed GPS aided air dropped container is having the capability to carry a payload that weighs upto 50 kg and can be dropped from heavy aircraft.
Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy congratulated DRDO scientists, Indian Navy and the associated industry partners involved in the successful maiden trial.
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
Khadi Fest 2023 inaugurated at KVIC, Mumbai
Shri Manoj Kumar, Chairman, Khadi and Village Industries Commission, inaugurated the Khadi Fest- 23 which will run from January 27 to February 24, 2023 at the KVIC Headquarters in Mumbai in the presence of Shri Vinit Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, KVIC and other senior officials.
In his inaugural address Shri Kumar said that KVIC is entrusted with the responsibility of providing livelihood to the most backward and poor people of this country. He said that events and exhibitions like Khadi Fest provide a platform to the Khadi Institutions, PMEGP and SFURTI units to market the products of thousands of artisans directly to the hands of customers. He emphasized on organizing such events in larger numbers in the other parts of the country as well as abroad.
KVIC Chairman said that after the clarion call of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to the people of the country to buy Khadi and Village Industries products, their sales have increased unexpectedly. He appealed to the nation to fulfill the vision of our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's dream "Vocal for Local and Local to Global" in to reality. Chairman also motivated the officers and employees of KVIC to fulfill the responsibility of the upliftment of the poor people living in the rural. The highest ever sale of Rs more than 12 crore in the IITF-2022 held in Delhi in the month of November is the live example. This year on 2nd October, Delhi Outlet of Khadi India has once again set an all-time new record of Khadi sales in a single day worth Rs 1.34 crore. It is worth mentioning that last year Khadi and village industry items had record sale of one lakh fifteen thousand crores. Further, a sale of Rs. 3.03 crores was recorded in the Khadi Fest-2022 organized in the month of October 3rd, he added.
Chairman, KVIC appealed to all to give wide publicity to Khadi Fest and purchase Khadi and village industry items for respectable earnings of the poor spinners, weavers, women and artisans of the country. He congratulated Ms. Neihunuo Sorhie the Khadi Weaver from Nagaland for her Padma Shri Award & Sant Kabir Award and Khadi veteran Shri V P Appukuttan Poduval from Kerala who has also been conferred with Padma Shri.
In this Khadi Fest, Khadi and Village Industries Institutions, PMEGP units from various parts of the country affiliated to Khadi and Village Industries Commission are showcasing their products for exhibit and sales. In addition to cotton khadi, khadi silk, pashmina, poly vastra, patola Silk, kalamkari sarees, kanjivaram silk, light weight soft silk sarees, tussar silk, fulkari dress materials and other attractive apparels made of khadi fabrics, madhubani prints, dry fruits, tea, kahwa, beauty herbal and ayurvedic products, honey products, hand paper products, home decor products , Bamboo Products, Carpets, Aloe Vera Products, Leather Products and many other Khadi and Village Industries products are available .
Ministry of Tourism
PM to address post-Budget Webinar On “Developing Tourism In Mission Mode” on 3rd March, 2023
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will address the post-budget webinar on ‘Developing Tourism in Mission Mode’ on 3rd March, 2023 at 10 AM via video conferencing. It is a part of a series of 12 post-budget webinars being organized by the Government to seek ideas and suggestions for effective implementation of the initiatives announced in the Union Budget.
The Union Budget has stated that promotion of tourism will be taken up in mission mode, with active participation of states, convergence of government programmes and public-private partnerships. At least 50 destinations will be selected through challenge mode and developed as a complete package of tourism. Sector specific skilling and entrepreneurship development will be dovetailed to achieve the objectives of the Dekho Apna Desh.
The Post-Budget webinar being organized by the Ministry of Tourism will have six breakout sessions covering the priority areas identified in the Union Budget. Besides Ministers and Secretaries of the concerned Central Government Ministries, a host of stakeholders drawn from travel and industry sector, representatives from Department of Tourism, students, leading industrialists, educational institutions under the Ministry of Tourism, bodies like FICCI and CII as well as heads of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Associations would attend these sessions and contribute through their suggestions and ideas for better implementation of budgetary announcements for the tourism sector.
The themes of the breakout sessions are Destination Centric Approach for Tourism Development, Convergence – The Power of Collaboration, Strengthening Public Private Participation in Tourism Sector, Driving Innovation and Digitalization in Tourism Sector, Impacting lives at grass root level through Tourism and Cultural Heritage for Promotion of Tourism.
The webinar will be live streamed and the event can be watched at : https://youtube.com/live/cOYm5okQjp0?feature=share
PIB Headquarters
PIB’S BULLETIN ON COVID-19
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- 187.71 cr vaccine doses have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
- India's Active caseload currently stands at 16,522
- Active cases stand at 0.04%
- Recovery Rate currently at 98.75%
- 1,862 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to 4,25,21,341
- 2,541 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
- Daily positivity rate 
- Weekly Positivity Rate 
- 83.50 cr Total Tests conducted so far; 3,02,115 tests conducted in the last 24 hours
#Unite2FightCorona #IndiaFightsCorona
Press Information Bureau
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Government of India
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
To provide relief to over 140 crore citizens of India, Centre to offload 50 LMT of wheat and 25 LMT of rice in open market
Centre brings down the reserve price by Rs 200 per qtl and the effective price will be Rs 2900 per Qtl
Centre committed to moderating market price and controlling food inflation
Government of India has decided that Food Corporation of India shall offload 50 LMT of wheat and 25 LMT of rice in open market in a phased manner under Open Market Sale Scheme [OMSS] for sale through E-auction. Keeping in view the experience of the past 5 e-auctions for rice by FCI, it has been decided that the reserve price will be brought down by Rs 200/qtl and the effective price now will be Rs 2900/Qtl. The cost on account of reduction in the reserve price will be borne from the Price Stabilization Fund maintained by the Department of Consumer Affairs.
As on 7.8.2023 in one year, the wheat prices have gone up by 6.77% in retail market and 7.37% in wholesale market. Similarly, the rice prices in retail market have gone up by 10.63% and 11.12% in wholesale market.
Keeping in view the benefit of over 140 crore citizens of the country, Government of India has taken this decision to offer wheat and rice under OMSS to private parties for increasing availability, moderate the rise in market prices and control food inflation. However, it is relevant to mention that Government is also providing foodgrains to NFSA beneficiaries as per their entitlement free of cost as committed under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojna  w.e.f. 1st January, 2023.
Stocks are offloaded under OMSS from time to time to achieve multiple objectives including, inter-alia, disposal of excess stocks, reducing the carrying cost of foodgrains, enhance supply of foodgrains during lean season & deficit regions and to moderate the market prices. In the calendar year 2023, wheat & rice are being offloaded by FCI in a phased manner as per reserve prices fixed by GoI.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
World Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Day observed by Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities 
World Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Day is observed on Seventh September each year to raise awareness about Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The purpose of the day is to support efforts that will improve the quality of life for those who have dystrophinopathies through education, advocacy, and social inclusion. A rare degenerative illness called Duchenne muscular dystrophy makes muscles weaker over time until it affects the entire body. One in five thousand boys are born with the condition. It results from an X-chromosome mutation. First, walking becomes challenging, then other motor functions follow, and finally, breathing and heart function are affected because the heart is also a muscle. Learning and behavioral problems may potentially be a symptom of the condition because the missing protein also has a purpose in the brain. This year’s World Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Day theme is Duchenne: Breaking Barriers.
The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities  under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India is the nodal department to look after all the development agenda of Persons with Disabilities of the country. With the vision to create awareness about Duchenne muscular dystrophy among the masses, the Department observed the World Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Day on 7th September 2023, through the institutions associated with it by conducting various events at more than 50 places across the country.
Following activities were held across the country to observe the World Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Day- Seminars & Webinars, Awareness Programmes, Quiz Competition Distribution of Aids and Appliances Physical Screening Camp Rally.
Ministry of Defence
Inaugural function of Naval Higher Command Course-32 at Naval War College, Goa
Admiral Arun Prakash, PVSM, AVSM, VrC, VSM , former Chief of The Naval Staff inaugurated the 32nd Naval Higher Command Course  at the Naval War College, Goa today.
The Naval War College  is a premier training institution of the Indian Navy and one of three War Colleges of the Indian Armed Forces. Rear Admiral Sandeep Beecha is the present Commandant of the NWC. The NHCC is the flagship course of the NWC, conducted over 37 weeks. A total of 31 officers will participate in the course. In keeping with the higher aim of fostering inter-service integration, 05 Colonels from the Army, 19 Captains from the Navy, 05 Group Captains from the Air Force and 02 Commandants from the Indian Coast Guard will participate in the prestigious course.
The course curriculum stimulates intellectual pursuits of the participants through increased exposure, rigorous research and critical thinking on topical strategic and operational issues. Serving and retired senior officers of the Armed Forces, diplomats, government officials and corporate leaders interact with the course participants through guest lectures, symposiums, conclaves, panel discussions, research work and study tours. The participating officers also undertake research on a wide variety of subjects of strategic and operational importance to the nation in general and the Armed Forces in particular. Eligible officers also work towards the award of M Phil degree in Defence and Strategic Studies. The high point of the course is a five week Joint Operations Capsule ‘JOCAP’ at Army War College, Mhow, which all officers undergoing Higher Command Courses at the respective Services’ War Colleges attend.
Prime Minister's Office
PM hails efforts to make Atmanirbhar Bharat in energy sector
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has hailed the efforts by Oil India Ltd towards making India atmanirbhar in the energy sector by starting the first exploratory well Puri-1 in Mahanadi Onshore Basin in Odisha under Open Acreage Licensing Policy regime.
Sharing a tweet by Union Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, the Prime Minister tweeted;
“This is noteworthy and it invigorates our efforts towards being Aatmanirbhar in the energy sector.”
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
National Highways Authority of India going Strong
Moody's upgrades ratings of NHAI to Baa2 from Baa3.
CRISIL says reforms have led to decline in percentage of high risk highways projects
Following the upgrade of India's sovereign rating from Baa3 positive to Baa2 stable on 16th November 2017, Moody's Investors Service has upgraded the issuer ratings of National Highways Authority of India to Baa2 from Baa3 and revised outlook to stable from positive. The ratings of NTPC, NHPC and GAIL have also been upgraded.
According to Moody’s "The upgrade in ratings for NTPC, NHPC, NHAI and GAIL follows the upgrade of the Indian sovereign rating and reflects the strategic importance of these entities to the country, as well as their close operational and financial links with the government,"
It was only about a month back on October 9th that Moody’s had assigned a first time Baa3 rating to NHAI. The upgrade to Baa2 has come for NHAI in a very short time.
Meanwhile, a report of the global rating agency CRISIL issued on 16th November 2017 has also said that reforms by NHAI have resulted in a steep decline in the percentage of high risk highways projects from 53 percent two years back to 21 percent now. The reforms that have made this possible include quicker approvals, loan support for languishing projects, termination of stuck projects and their subsequent re-awarding, and affording a change in sponsor. According to CRISIL about 80 % of the operational portfolio comprising nearly 100 BOT projects are at low risk today in terms of debt servicing.
The CRISIL report also acknowledges that NHAI reforms have resulted in doubling of highways construction rate from 12 km per day in 2015 to 23 km per day in 2017. It says, the awarding of contracts is expected to sustain given the announcement and subsequent implementation of Bharatmala project.
The CRISIL report goes on to say that with the improved ground situation both debt and equity investors are showing more interest in the road sector.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Shri Subhash Chandra Garg appointed as Finance Secretary
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved designating Shri Subhash Chandra Garg, lAS , Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance as Finance Secretary
Prime Minister's Office
PM to participate in ‘Grih Pravesham’ and inaugurate 1.75 lakh houses built under PMAY-G in Madhya Pradesh on 12th September
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will participate in ‘Grih Pravesham’ and inaugurate 1.75 lakh houses built under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin  in the state of Madhya Pradesh, on 12th September, via video conferencing. All of these houses have been built/completed during the current challenging COVID-19 pandemic period.
Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh will also be present on the occasion. The program will be telecast Live on DD News.
Background
Prime Minister had given a clarion call of “Housing for All by 2022”, for which a flagship programme of PMAY-G was launched on 20th November, 2016. So far 1.14 crore houses have already been built across the country under the programme. In the state of Madhya Pradesh, 17 lakh poor households have also benefited from this scheme till now. These are all households of poor people who either had no house or lived in dilapidated makeshift homes.
Under PMAY-G, each beneficiary is given 100% grant of Rs. 1.20 lakh with a sharing ratio of 60:40 between Centre and State. Funds for all these houses constructed under PMAY-G are given by way of 4 instalments directly into the bank account of the beneficiary after verification of various stages of construction through Geotagged photographs. The scheme envisages to construct 2.95 crore houses by the year 2022.
In addition to the unit assistance, the beneficiaries are provided support of unskilled labour wages for 90/95 person days under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme  and assistance of Rs. 12,000 for construction of toilets through Swachh Bharat Mission- Gramin, MGNREGS or any other dedicated source of funding. The scheme has provisions for convergence with other schemes of Government of India and State/UTs for providing LPG connection under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Scheme, electricity connection, access to safe drinking water under Jal Jeevan Mission, etc. Madhya Pradesh Government, through its “Samridh Paryavas Abhiyaan”, has dovetailed 17 other schemes like social security, pension scheme, ration card, Prime Minister Kaushal Vikas Yojana, National Rural Livelihood Mission, etc to provide additional benefits.
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
Cabinet approves sale of 481.79 acres of land held by FACT to the Government of Kerala and utilization of the sale proceeds by FACT
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approvedthe following proposals:
- Sale of 481.79 acres of land held by the Fertilizers and Chemicals Travancore Ltd.  to the Govt. of Kerala in the following manner:
- 150 acres of land at the rate of Rs. 1 crore per acre ; and
- Remaining 331.79 acres @ Rs. 2.4758 crore per acre as assessed by the District Collector of Ernakulam
- Utilization of the sale proceeds by FACT to address working capital deficiency, improvement of balance sheet and enabling the company to enhance physical and financial performance by implementing capacity expansion projects for sustainable growth of the company.
Major Impact:
This approval will help FACT to reduce the bank borrowings and to implement projects for enhancing fertilizer production capacity and upgrading logistics / raw material handling facilities.
Benefits:
The revival of FACT will create opportunities for expansion and diversification of the company and this in turn, will help to generate more jobs, both directly and indirectly. The net effect of this will be a boost to the economy of the State of Kerala and improving fertilizer availability to South India. Reduction of dependence on import of fertilizers and chemicals will facilitate resultant savings in foreign exchange to the country and also improve fertilizers and food security. Through inclusion of fixed timelines for monitoring the implementation of the sale of land, the accountability of the management in achieving performance after the sale of land will be ensured. The unit has already switched over to cleaner LNG as feedstock and fuel, which will improve its energy efficiency and environmental friendliness.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan organises cleanliness drive in North Kolkata
Kolkata, 30th October, 2021
As a part of ongoing ‘Clean India Programme’ of Government of India, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangsthan , North Kolkata organised a cleanliness drive at Bagbazar Mayer Ghat and its surrounding area today. The drive was organized in collaboration with local coordinator Bapi Ghosh and Dr. Minakshi Gangopadhyay of Maya Foundation
The programme focused on cleaning and renovating community grounds by nyks volunteers & Maya Foundation team. Single use plastic wastes were collected & disposed off to Kolkata Municipal Corporation on the same day. Another reason was to take awareness activities for motivating youths of the society regarding importance of cleanliness and necessity of plastic free society
The Department of Youth Affairs of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports  in commemoration of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsava is organizing a nationwide Clean India Programme from 1st October 2021 to 31st October 2021. The programme is being organised in 6 Lakh villages of 744 Districts across the country through the networks of Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan  affiliated Youth Clubs & National Service Scheme affiliated Institutions.
CG/CB/
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Prime Minister's Office
PM greets people of Mizoram on their Statehood Day
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted the people of Mizoram on their Statehood Day.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
“Best wishes to the people of Mizoram on their Statehood Day. Mizoram is known for its natural beauty, hardworking people and the outstanding Mizo culture. May the aspirations of the people of Mizoram continue being fulfilled in the coming times.”
Ministry of Railways
Union Minister Prakash Javadekar flags off DEMU train service between Pune and Phaltan
Mumbai/Pune, 30 March 2021
Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Heavy industries and Public Enterprise, Shri Prakash Javadekar, virtually flagged off the DEMU train from Phaltan to Pune via Lonand today. “I am very happy to see that Phaltan is directly connected to Pune now,” said Shri Javdekar in his address. He also appreciated the various initiatives taken by the Ministry of Railways under Shri Piyush Goyal, in bringing landmark changes to the Indian Railways over the years.
“The efforts of Rail Ministry in ensuring cleanliness are such that it has set an ideal example for Swachh Bharat Mission. Paying utmost care towards cleanliness, it is a remarkable step that all main line trains now have bio toilets installed; Special attention is paid to maintaining cleanliness even in Railway stations as well as Railway tracks as a result of which the condition of the services and trains have improved far better,” the Minister observed.
Shri Javadekar further said how all unmanned railway gates have been shut down and scientific solutions being introduced that has significantly brought down the number of accidents. The Minister also remarked that the railway electrification work has been taken up on top priority and gauge conversion and new railway line projects are providing better connectivity benefitting people, trade and commerce.
A short video depicting the benefits of the new service was played during the event. Phaltan, 110 kms south-east of Pune is known for agriculture produce and agro-based industries. Sugar cane, pomegranate, capsicum, okra etc are produced here. Owing to the above produce and companies, there is much movement of traders and aggregators from Phaltan to Pune and other cities.
General Manager, Central Railways, Sanjeev Mittal spoke about the various benefits of the new DEMU services. “Residents of Phaltan, who are working in various private and government sectors, pursuing education in Pune will get direct passenger train connectivity from Phaltan to Pune and back. The service will greatly benefit sugarcane farmers, traders and factories near Phaltan” he said.
Members of Parliament, Chhatrapati Udyanraje Bhosale, Shri Ranjeetsingh Naik Nimbalkar, Shri Girish Bapat and other dignitaries from the state government were also present on the occasion.
Regular DEMU services will commence from 31.3.2021 as under:
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01435 DEMU will leave Pune at 5.50 am; arrive/depart Lonand at 7.50 am/8.00 am and arrive Phaltan at 9.35 am.
01434 DEMU will leave Phaltan at 11.00 am and arrive Lonand at 12.20 pm
01433 DEMU will leave Lonand at 3.00 pm and arrive Phaltan at 4.20 pm
01436 DEMU will leave Phaltan at 6.00 pm; arrive/depart Lonand at 7.10 pm/7.20 pm and arrive Pune at 9.35 pmPIB Mum/RT/DL/DR
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